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Thank you notes, blue hearts and rainbows have been left outsidethe William Harvey Hospital in tribute to the

NHS workers fighting the coronavirus outbreak.

The tributes outside the Ashford hospital are the result of a community effort to show gratitude to those fighting on the frontline against Covid-19.

The project was started by resident Matthew Newbury, whose inspiration came from very close to home.

He said: “My wife has been a nurse with the NHS at the Harvey for more than 20 years, and I’ve also got other family, friends, and customers who are nurses, doctors and surgeons.

“These guys have been going the extra mile for years for a service they are passionate about. Now with this global virus around us these people have stepped up even further and are proving why we have the best health service in the world.”

Mr Newbury, who runs a gardening business in the area, decided to show his thanks with the blue hearts.

Helped by his staff, the Singleton resident also found support from primary schools and businesses in the area.

He explained: “We make garden obelisks for our customers, and using one of these and making hundreds of metal blue hearts I wanted to create a similar scene to what they did with the poppies at the Tower of London.

“Jill Evans, a teacher from Victoria Road Primary School, managed to get children from her school and also Hamstreet Primary to make hundreds of paper hearts and pictures showing their appreciation.

“This was a project done at short notice but Four Seasons Fencing in Bethersden stepped forward and helped supply the materials needed. With this great team effort we managed to create a wonderful show of appreciation for these heroes of the nation.”

The 45-year-old is hoping the group’s efforts will inspire people to make similar tributes across the county.

He said: “If everyone could just make a blue heart and stick it in their window to show that we care, that would be amazing.”

The approach to the William Harvey Hospital is now very eye-catching; right, many youngsters have left messages

Matthew Newbury, who started the project, hopes the effort will inspire more people to make similar tributes

Scores of blue hearts have appeared at the entrance